ES2558077T3 - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

Domestic or industrial gas meter (100; 200; 300), preferably of oxidizing gas and / or fuel, more preferably of natural combustible gas, said gas meter having the form of a container constituted, in use, by: an upper half-case of metal (1; 1 '; 1 ") without holes, cable gland or cable adapter for the passage of electrical cables, and provided with a perimeter edge in the form of a first horizontal flat flange (5), a half-lower housing of metal (2) without holes, cable gland or cable adapter for the passage of electrical cables and provided with a perimeter edge in the form of a second horizontal flat flange (9), which, in use, is abutted against said first flange horizontal (5), connecting means (6) in the form of a perimeter annular band placed in the horizontal stop plane of said first horizontal flange (5) against said second horizontal flange (9), said band having at least an annular part flanged on at least one of the two horizontal flanges (5, 9) so that a joint is made between said upper half-shell (1; 1'; 1 ") and said lower half-shell (2), said container further comprising an electrical / electronic data display and / or processing module located externally on the outer wall in said upper half-shell (1; 1 '; 1") or lower half-case (2) of said container; a measurement and shutdown unit (when present), comprising one or more electrical / electronic measurement and shutdown (when present) modules of the flow of said gas that are located within said container (100; 200; 300), at least one flat electrical cable (8), insulated along its entire length, from said measuring unit and switched off (when present) and electrically connected thereto, the part of said electrical cable (8) being located within said container in direct contact with said gas, said electrical cable connecting said external data display and / or processing modules with said measuring and shutdown unit (when present), characterized in that said flat and isolated electrical cable ( 8) out of said container of said counter (100; 200) without any cable adapter through a slot-shaped opening (7) or notch (7 '), formed in said connection means (6) and col located in the horizontal stop plane of said first flange (5) against said second flange (9), said electrical cable (8) being in contact with said first flange (5) and said second flange (9) when said flange ( 5) is abutting against said flange (9) in use so that it is pressed and held horizontally by said horizontal flanges (5, 9) to prevent movement of said electric cable (8) with respect to said groove (7 ) or said notch (7 '), said groove (7) or said notch (7') having at least one of the dimensions so that it is substantially in contact with said cable (8) passing through it to prevent movement of said cable (8) in said slot (7) or in said notch (7 '), 50 in which also sealing means (10) are provided in said cable (8), said upper half-shell (1; 1'; 1 ") and / or said lower half shell (2) of said counter to create a gas tightness.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Gas meter

The present invention relates to gas meters for domestic or industrial use.

More particularly, the present invention relates to flow rates for gas in which the electric cable, which connects the internal and external electrical / electronic measurement and shutdown modules (if present), leaves said counter in the vicinity of the plane of union of the upper and lower half housing forming the container of the meter's own measurement system.

The gas meters are membrane flow rates consisting of two half-shells, attached (joined by a joint) to each other along the horizontal perimeter edge, inside which a measuring unit is located, consisting of two "measuring chambers" of very large volume. specific with deformable walls, which is filled and emptied alternately, whose rectilinear movement is transformed into a rotary movement by means of an articulated mechanism and is transmitted to a small pinon that drives the totalizer drums that is located outside the unit container measurement.

As is known, there is currently a European project that provides for the replacement of the abovementioned membrane gas meters of the traditional type with new generation meters that have additional functions created by means of mechanical / electrical / electronic modules.

In this last type of meter, the measurement of the flow of gas supplied is carried out by means of one or more measuring modules and switching off (when necessary) mechanical / electrical / electronic contained within the meter, while the measurement reading is visualized by means of a visualization element and / or by means of a counter located in a mechanical / electrical / electronic module mounted on the outer wall of the container of the meter itself.

The necessary electrical connection of the module of measurement and shutdown (when present) electrical / electronic, inside the container, with the one located outside is made by means of an electric cable that passes through a hole formed in the front wall of one of the two half-counters of the counter.

Said cable is also inserted in a tear-resistant cable gland (also known otherwise as a cable adapter) that has the function of passing the insulated cable through the meter wall mentioned above and avoiding possible tearing of the sheath. of cable insulation.

In addition, said cable gland has the function of tensioning and blocking the cable against the meter housing, also creating gas tightness. In fact, said cable gland, which can be composed of metal material or plastic material, has a threaded end that is inserted into the hole mentioned above and is locked on the outside of the meter by means of a threaded metal nut (or ring nut). The gas tightness within said cable gland is guaranteed instead by a rubber ring (first solution) or a resin core (second solution) present inside.

These known solutions however have some disadvantages. In the first solution, the high temperature resistance is not guaranteed by the materials used (rubber shutter and plastic cable gland body) as also required by European rules, for example rule EN 1359, according to which it is admitted a maximum defined gas leak from the container of the measurement and shutdown system (when present), when exposed to high temperatures (650 ° C). In addition, the cost of assembly operations is high.

In the second solution, the total cost of the application is also high in relation to the time required for assembly.

Document GB 2317273 describes a flow indicator (meter) for water formed by two half-shells (of which one is composed of glass), from which a plurality of cylindrical electrical cables that pass through the indicator, passing through a plug or cable adapter that is arranged in an opening formed in a side wall at the base of one of the two half-shells. The cable insulation part that passes through the shutter is removed in order to prevent moisture from entering the meter, which prevents or limits its reading.

This teaching, if applied to combustion or fuel gas meters, will significantly increase the risk of accidental explosion.

In addition, the use of a rubber cable adapter and a plastic frame as a separator of the upper body 11 of the lower 12 does not guarantee high temperature resistance (650 ° C) for the materials used as European regulations require instead mentioned above related to the counters of

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natural gas.

Document DE 102007017490 describes a flowmeter for natural gas formed by two semi-covers in which the flat electric cable from the measuring unit leaves the container through an opening formed in the side wall of the upper half-cover in the area to be occupied by the indicator (counter).

This solution is disadvantageous because the presence of an additional opening, in the side walls of the housing, increases the possibility of gas leaks from the housing itself and consequently the related risks. In addition, the procedure for producing this flowmeter is not very practical because it is necessary to provide both a phase of obtaining the opening and an additional phase of sealing this opening with an appropriate shutter, prolonging the production and installation times of the measuring apparatus.

The objective of the present invention is to overcome, at least in part, the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a gas flow rate in which the electric cable leaves said meter by means of using means to resist high temperatures (650 ° C) , in accordance with European rules, and that can be assembled at the meter itself in a short period of time to reduce the costs of operations and the total costs of the meter.

An additional objective is to provide such a gas meter that is easy and economical to manufacture and that avoids the use of cable adapters to pass the insulated cable through the meter wall.

These objectives are achieved by the gas meter according to the invention presenting the characteristics listed in the attached independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

An object of the present invention relates to a gas flowmeter, formed by an upper half-shell and a lower half-shell, within which a measurement and shutdown unit (when necessary), consisting of at least one module of measurement and shutdown (when necessary) electric / electronic.

The upper and lower half-shells are joined together by a vertical perimeter strip (also defined herein as "flanged side band") located around and in the vicinity of the joint plane between the upper and lower half-shells of the meter, which is flanged above and / or below said joint plane.

This strip, which is beaded during the joint-joint phase of the two half-shells, has at least one opening in the form of its notch in the form of a notch, groove or a recess or recess (groove or cut) .

It is understood that "slot", "notch", herein identifies an opening whose profile is continuous and whose perfometer defines a closed figure, while it is understood that "gap", "recess", herein identifies an opening in the form of a notch whose perfometer is discontinuous (interrupted) and the profile identifies an open figure on one side.

Said slit or notch is suitable for crossing at least one flat-type electric cable that can have one or more conductive tracks.

The electrical cable mentioned above comes from at least one measuring and switching off module (when present) electrical / electronic, inside the meter, electrically insulated along its entire length, also in the area that the meter crosses.

The opening of said groove or notch has dimensions, preferably at least the dimension along the horizontal plane of stop of the two half-shells (width), such as placing said groove or notch substantially in contact, at least in width, with said cable that passes through it to act as a cable guide.

The passage of said electrical cable through the slot is made to connect said cable to the electrical / electronic module for visualization and / or data processing (indicator) which is located on the outer wall of the container of the measurement and shutdown system (when is present) of said counter.

Specific binding substances are also provided in the vicinity of the joint plane between the upper and lower half-shell of the meter in order to jointly connect said cable to said meter.

Thanks to the use of said strip with groove or notch formed in the vicinity of the joint plane between the upper and lower part of the counter, it is possible to avoid perforation of the upper and lower half shells (part

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upper or lower part) and also avoid the use of cable glands and their connection to the housing.

This represents an advantage of construction and production because it is not necessary to add additional assembly operations with respect to those that are used, that is to say, joint by joint and sealing, also because when the cable passing between the upper part and the part is inserted lower, these operations are sufficient to obtain the present counter as will be described in detail below.

Said perimeter strip provided with a groove or notch may be integral with the upper or lower half-shell; or it can be an independent component, for example a collar to be mounted on said counter; or an independent vertical perimeter annular band that will be completely flanged in the joint plane without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The gas whose flow is measured by the present meter is preferably combustible and / or oxidizing gas, more preferably natural fuel gas.

It is understood that the term "oxidizer" herein identifies a substance that acts as an oxidizing agent of a fuel in a combustion reaction, such as, for example, air. It is understood that the term "fuel" herein identifies a chemical that oxidizes in the combustion process, such as, for example, methane.

The additional features of the invention will be clarified by the following detailed description, which refers to one of its embodiments merely by way of non-limiting example illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 a) to c) are exploded views, respectively in front, side and enlarged section of the detail contained in the circle in view b), of a first embodiment of the meter of the present invention, before assembly ;

Figures 2, 3, 4 are sectional views such as Figure 1 c), illustrating the subsequent assembly phases of the embodiment of Figures 1 a) to c);

Figures 5 a) to c) are respectively a front, side and enlarged sectional view of the detail contained in the circle in view b), of the counter of Figures 1 a) to 1 c), in an assembled and ready form Its use;

Figures 6 a) to c) are exploded views, respectively in front, side and enlarged section of the detail contained in the circle in view b), of a second embodiment of the meter of the present invention, before assembly ;

Figures 7, 8, 9 are sectional views such as Figure 6 c), illustrating the subsequent assembly phases of the embodiment of Figures 6 a) to c);

Figures 10 a) to c) are respectively a front, side and enlarged sectional view of the detail contained in the circle in view b), of the counter of Figures 6 a) to c), in assembled form and ready for use;

Figures 11 a) to c) are exploded views, respectively in front and vertical section along the line AA and in enlarged section of the detail contained in the circle in view b), of a third embodiment of the counter of the present invention, before assembly;

Figures 12, 13 are sectional views like Figure 11 c), illustrating the subsequent assembly phases of the embodiment of Figures 11 a) to c);

Figures 14 a) to c) are views, respectively in front, vertical section along the line B-B and in enlarged section of the detail contained in the circle in view b), during the placement of the two half-shells together;

Figure 15 is a sectional view like Figure 14 c) but illustrating the final assembly phase by means of beading.

In the first embodiment, the gas meter according to the invention, indicated in figures 1 a) to c) by means of reference number 100, is formed by a container, generally composed of metal, constituted by a semi-metal upper case 1 , herein also defined as "upper part", and by a semi-metal lower case 2, then also defined herein as "lower part".

The upper part 1 and the lower part 2 are elements known by themselves in the art: they are hollow internally and are each formed by four vertical walls 3, opposite and parallel two to two, which are

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joined to a wall of lower part 4 by means of joints of decreasing section. Furthermore, both the upper part 1 and the lower part 2 are open on one side, lower and upper, respectively.

However, the present upper part 1 and lower part 2 differ from those known in the art due to the fact that they do not provide any holes in their side walls in order to cause the internal electrical cables to exit the meter.

The upper part 1 has a lower perimeter edge protruding outward and perpendicular with respect to the vertical walls 3, to form a horizontal flat flange 5 located perimetrically around the open side (opening) of said upper part 1.

Said horizontal flange 5 integrates a band or perimeter ring 6, vertical and perpendicular to the flange 5, to form together with it a step (figure 1 c) with respect to the vertical walls 3 of the upper part 1.

The lower part 2 is provided with an upper perimeter edge projecting outwardly and perpendicularly with respect to the vertical walls 3 of said lower part 2, to form a horizontal flat flange 9 located perimetrically around the open side of said lower part 2.

The flange 5 of the upper part 1 is suitable for abutment against the horizontal flange 9 of the lower part 2 at the time of coupling the upper part 1 with said lower part 2 during assembly.

The horizontal perimeter flanges 5 and 9 are also provided in the housing in which the upper part 1 and the lower part 2 have a different shape from the case just described above.

In a part of said perimeter band 6 and / or said flange 5 a notch or groove 7 is formed, preferably at the point of attachment of the perimeter band 6 with the flange 5 in order to present the groove 7 placed in the horizontal plane of union between the upper part 1 and the lower part 2.

Said slot 7 is suitable for passing at least one flat electric cable 8 (figure 2), coming from one

0 or more measurement and shutdown modules (when present) electric / electronic, (not illustrated in the drawings) that are placed inside the meter 100. Said electric cable 8 therefore leaves said slot 7, protruding from it outside. of said container, without any cable adapter.

The cable part 8 that crosses the groove 7 also has electrical insulation that does not have to be removed. In fact, flat cables cannot be stripped.

Said slot 7 will preferably have a width approximately equal to the width of the cable 8, in order to place said cable 8 substantially in contact, at least laterally, with said slot 7 which passes through it to act as a guide. In this way, the slot 7 will prevent possible lateral movements of said cable 8.

However, this slot 7 can also have a width such that it allows the passage of two flat cables more adjacent to each other or a flat cable with one or more conductive tracks, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

After the electrical cable 8 has been inserted into the groove 7, a layer of sealing adhesive 10 is applied both to the abutment surface of said flange 9 of the lower part 2 and to the lower surface of the flange 5 of the upper part 1, as illustrated in Figure 3. This adhesive 10 allows the cable 8 to be connected, enclosed between said upper part 1 and said lower part 2, in addition to sealing the counter 100 with respect to the external environment, obtaining gas tightness.

In fact, the layers of sealing adhesive 10 allow the cable 8, which has already passed through the groove 7, to adhere and join it, in a solidary manner, both to the flange 5 of the upper part 1 and to the flange 9 of the lower part 2, once said flange 5 has butted against the flange 9 in the phase of placing the upper part

1 on the bottom 2 during the closing phase of the counter 100.

The pressure exerted on the layers of sealing adhesive during closure by means of joint bonding then ensures that said sealing adhesive 10 also extends along the inner edges of the two half-shells 1 and 2, as illustrated in figure 4.

In practice, said electric cable 8 is substantially in contact, above and below, with each of the flanges 5 and 9 observing that said cable 8 is pressed and held horizontally by the aforementioned flanges, without intermediate separators , and therefore the final shutter layer between the cable and the flanges is very thin after this pressure.

This contact between the electric cable and the flanges 5 and 9 is advantageous because it avoids any possible movement of said electric cable 8 with respect to said slot 7 also without cable adapter and to allow the solution of

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withstand high temperature resistance.

The sealing adhesive 10 is a liquid putty or plug, of a known type, for example with a polyurethane base, normally used in the field of gas meters and provided with high resistance, both chemical and thermal. Said type of shutter, combined with the present mechanical structure, can pass the high temperature tightness test according to the main reference rules for gas meters.

The type of measurement and shutdown module (when necessary) electrical / electronic, placed inside the meter from which the cable 8 starts, can be of any type, just like the type of device suitable for measuring the gas flow and the sensors related, for example an electromechanical device or electronic device, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

After having located the upper part 1 adjacent to the lower part 2 to enclose the cable 8 between said two components, the perimeter band 6 is flanged on the flange 9 of the lower part 2, more particularly beading that part of the annular band 6 below of the slit 7, curving this part below the flange 9 as illustrated in figure 5 c).

In this way, the upper part 1 is firmly retained to the lower part 2 obtaining a completely sealed closure of the counter 100.

In the housing in which the band 6 is an independent and non-integral element with the upper or lower half-shell, the flange of the band 6 can be performed, as an alternative to the lower flange 9 or in addition thereto, also in the upper flange 5 without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

It is preferable to perform a full 90 ° flange, more particularly below the lower flange 9, in order to ensure a more efficient joint joint of the lower half-shell 2 to additionally retain the upper 1.

After the closure of the two half-shells, the flat cable 8 has to pass through the wall of the counter 100, through the groove 7, substantially in the horizontal joint plane of the upper part 1 to the lower part 2 of the counter 100, in instead of in the front walls of the upper part 1 or of the lower part 2 as produced instead in prior art.

In a second embodiment according to the invention, illustrated in exploded view in Figures 6 a) to c) and indicated by reference number 200, the annular band or the perimeter ring 6 is provided which is not integral with the flange 5 of the upper part but belongs to a collar 11, not integral with the upper part 1, which is formed by a flat base 6 'from which said perimeter ring 6 extends vertically to form a step.

Therefore, in said second embodiment, the lower part 2 is substantially similar to that described above, while the upper part is different because, as indicated in figures 6 to 10 by reference number 1 ', it provides the collar 11 mentioned above, located externally around it.

Between said flat base 6 'of said collar 11 and the vertical walls 3 of said upper part there is a certain play that causes said collar 11 to slide freely along the vertical walls 3 of the upper part 1'. The vertical downward sliding of said collar 11 is stopped by the flange 5 of the upper part 1 'in which said flat base 6' of said collar 11 stops at the moment of the assembly of the two half-shells.

In this second embodiment, the notch or slot 7 suitable for passing the flat electric cable 8 (Figure 7) is formed in a part of the perimeter band 6, preferably at the point of union of said band 6 with the base 6 'of collar 11.

The insertion of said cable 8 into said slot 7 preferably takes place once said collar 11 has abutted against the flange 5 of the upper part 1 ', as illustrated in Figure 7.

As illustrated in Figure 8, also in this second embodiment the application of sealing adhesive layers 10 is provided both on the abutment surface of said flange 9 of the bottom 2 and on the bottom surface of the flange 5 of the upper part 1 ', in order to guarantee the sealing of the counter 200.

Similar to what was described above for the first embodiment, having placed the lower part 2 adjacent to the upper part 1 'to enclose the cable 8 between the edges of the two half-shells (lower part 2 and upper part 1 '), a part of the band 6 of the collar 11 is beaded at the edge of the lower part 2, more specifically with the beading of a part of the band 6 of the collar 11 which is located below the groove 7, curving this part below the flange 9 to ensure a completely tight closure of the counter 200 as illustrated in Figure 10 c).

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In a third embodiment of the meter according to the invention, illustrated in exploded view in Figures 11 to 15 and indicated by reference number 300, the same features indicated for the first embodiment are provided, with the exception of the fact of that the groove 7 formed in the annular band or the perimetral ring 6 integral with the flange 5 of the upper part is in the form of a notch or recess 7 'which will interrupt the perimeter continuity of the lateral band 6 which is integral with the flange 5 of an upper part (indicated in this case by reference number 1 ").

The assembly procedures of said upper part 1 "to the lower part 2 are substantially identical to those notified in the first embodiment: also in this case, after having inserted the electric cable 8 in the groove 7 'a layer of sealing adhesive 10 both on the sealing surface of said flange 9 of the lower part 2 and on the lower surface of the flange 5 of the upper part 1 ", as illustrated in FIG. 13, then the upper part 1" is It is located adjacent to the bottom 2 to enclose, between the two components 1 "and 2, the cable 8, pressing it between the two flanges 5 and 9.

Subsequently, the vertical perimeter band 6 is flanged on the flange 9 of the bottom 2, curving it below the flange 9 as illustrated in Figure 15, in order to obtain a top part 1 "firmly held to the bottom 2 with a completely sealed closure of the counter 300.

This embodiment with the notch 7 'is particularly advantageous because it is easier and faster to perform with respect to the formation of a groove 7 as described in the first embodiment.

The gas meter according to the present invention also provides an indicator located in said upper half housing (1; 1 '; 1 ") or lower half housing (2) for viewing or processing the measurement of said flow.

The advantages of the gas meter according to the present invention are many, such as for example a lower overall cost, without prejudice to the sealing performance of the meter, a greater ease of manufacture, a shorter assembly time, a more number Small components to be assembled and greater resistance to high temperatures (650 ° C) thanks also to the removal of the cable gland.

A particular advantage lies in the fact that assembly operations are not added with respect to the usual ones in use and not even additional sealing operations such as between the upper part and the cover which remains as it is also when the cable is additionally inserted between they.

In practice, thanks to the passage of the flat electric cable through the groove formed in the joint means of joining the two half-shells, it is possible to avoid the use of the cable adapter normally used in the matter in order to allow the cable crosses the walls of the meter: the fact of pressing and retaining in a horizontal position by contact, above and below it, with the (metal) flanges 5 and 9 and being substantially in contact, at least laterally , with said slit 7 or notch 7 ', it ensures that the cable 8 is firmly attached to the meter at the exit point thereof to avoid the use of any cable adapter and make the meter meet the requirements of high temperature resistance ( 650 ° C).

The present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described above and illustrated in the attached drawings, but on the contrary numerous changes of detail can be made to them within the knowledge of the person skilled in the art, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention itself, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. Domestic or industrial gas meter (100; 200; 300), preferably of oxidizing and / or combustible gas, more preferably of natural combustible gas, said gas meter having the form of a container constituted, in use, by: a semi-metal upper case (1; 1 '; 1 ") without holes, cable gland or cable adapter for the passage of electrical cables, and provided with a perimeter edge in the form of a first horizontal flat flange (5), a half-lower metal housing (2) without holes, cable gland or cable adapter for the passage of electric cables and provided with a perimeter edge in the form of a second horizontal flat flange (9), which, in use, is butt against said first horizontal flange (5), connecting means (6) in the form of a perimeter annular band placed in the horizontal stop plane of said first horizontal flange (5) against said second horizontal flange (9), said band having at least one annular part flanged on by at least one of the two horizontal flanges (5, 9) so that a joint is made between said upper half-shell (1; 1 '; 1 ") and said lower half-shell (2), further comprising said container an electrical / electronic data visualization and / or processing module located externally on the outer wall in said upper half-shell (1; 1 '; 1 ") or lower half-shell (2) of said container; a measurement and shutdown unit (when present), comprising one or more measurement / shutdown modules (when present) electric / electronic of the flow of said gas that are located within said container (100; 200; 300), at least one flat electric cable (8), insulated along its entire length, coming from said measuring unit and turned off (when present) and electrically connected thereto, the part of said electric cable (8) being located within said container in direct contact with said gas, said electrical cable connecting said external data display and / or processing modules with said measurement and shutdown unit (when present), characterized by that said flat and insulated electric cable (8) leaves said container of said counter (100; 200) without any cable adapter through a slot-shaped opening (7) or notch (7 '), formed in said means of connection (6) and placed in the horizontal stop plane of said first flange (5) against said second flange (9), said electric cable (8) being in contact with said first flange (5) and said second flange (9) when said flange (5) is abutting against said flange (9) in use so that it is pressed and held in position horizontal by said horizontal flanges (5, 9) to prevent the movement of said electric cable (8) with respect to said groove (7) or said groove (7 '), said groove (7) or said groove (7 ') having at least one of the dimensions so that it is substantially in contact with said cable (8) passing through it to prevent movement of said cable (8) in said groove ( 7) or in said notch (7 '), wherein, in addition, sealing means (10) are provided in said cable (8), said upper half shell (1; 1 '; 1 ") and / or said lower half shell (2) of said counter to create a gas tightness to said gas . 2. Gas meter according to claim 1, wherein said side band (6) is flanged below the lower flange (9) and / or above the upper flange (5) by means of a 90 ° curvature, preferably It is flanged at 90 ° below the bottom flange (9). 3. Gas meter (100; 300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flanged band is integral with said flange (5) of said upper half shell (1; 1 ") or with said flange (9) of said lower half housing (2). 4. Gas meter (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flanged band is integral with a collar (11) located around said upper half-shell (1 ') or around said lower half-shell (2). 5. Gas meter (100; 200; 300) according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means (10) are located in the horizontal stop plane of said flange (5) against said flange (9). 6. Gas meter (100; 200; 300) according to claim 5, wherein said sealing means (10) have the 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 form of a layer of sealing adhesive located on the sealing surface of said flange (9) and / or on the lower surface of said flange (5). 7. Method for obtaining a gas meter (100; 200; 300) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - forming a groove (7) or notch (7 ') in connecting means (6) arranged in the horizontal plane that joins said upper half-shell (1; 1'; 1 ") and said lower half-shell (2) of said counter (100; 200; 300); - passing at least one isolated and flat electric cable (8) through said slot (7) or said notch (7 '); - placing said sealing means (10) on said cable (8), said upper half shell (1; 1 '; 1 ") and / or lower half shell (2) of said counter (100; 200; 300); - making said upper half shell (1; 1 '; 1 ") butt against said lower half shell (2) of said counter (100; 200; 300), leaving said cable (8) between said upper and lower half shells in shape depressed - joining said upper half housing (1; 1 '; 1 ") with said lower half housing (2) of said counter (100; 200; 300) by means of said connecting means (6). Method according to claim 7, in which the step of forming a groove (7) or notch (7 ') is carried out by forming said groove (7) or notch (7') in an annular perimeter band (6) which is integral with the edge of said upper half-shell (1; 1 ") or with the edge of said lower half-shell (2) or is integral with a collar (11) located around said upper half-shell (1 ') or around said lower half housing (2). 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein during the step of placing the sealing means (10), the application of a sealing adhesive (10) is provided on the edge of said upper half-shell (1; 1 '; 1 ”) and on the edge of said lower half-shell (2). Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the step of joining said upper half-shell (1; 1 '; 1 ") with said lower half-shell (2) of said counter (100; 200; 300) is it is carried out by beading and pressing said band (6) that belongs to said upper half-shell (1; 1 ") or to said lower half-shell (2) or that belongs to said collar (11), on the edge of said lower half-shell (2) or of said upper half-shell (1 ').